u Lymphedema is defined as persistent tissue swelling effective treatment for lymphedema is necessary. WORLD JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

Full list of author information is available at the end of the articlecaused by the blockage or absence of lymph drainage [1]. Lymphedema is a major concern for patients under-going axillary lymph-node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer. The incidence of lymphedema at 12 months after breast surgery ranges from 12 % to 26% [2,3]. Lymphedema may result in cosmetic deformity, loss of function, physical discomfort, recurrent episodes Previous surgical techniques for the treatment of lym-phedema aimed to reduce limb volume using a debulking resection approach. With the advent of microsurgery, use of multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses has become the most common surgical treatment [6]. However, con-vincing evidence of the success of lymphatic-venous anas-tomoses has not been demonstrated. Thus, most patients with lymphedema choose non-surgical treatments, such as the use of elastic stockings, especially in early stages of lymphedema [7]. Complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) is likely t